Childhood trauma and psychological outcomes following psychedelic use: a scoping review
Lorraine Li, Paige Seath, Nadav Liam Modlin, James Rucker
npj Mental Health Research July 30, 2026 DOI: 10.1038/s44184-026-00233-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Literature on childhood trauma and post-psychedelic psychological outcomes |
| Key findings | Findings were heterogeneous: some sources reported reductions in trauma-related symptoms in maltreated populations, others found no association between childhood trauma and psychological outcomes, and some identified increased vulnerability to post-acute psychedelic difficulties. Qualitative accounts described resurfacing trauma-related memories with both growth and distress. |
Abstract
Abstract Research examining psychological outcomes following psychedelic use has grown substantially, yet the role of childhood trauma in shaping these responses remains insufficiently understood. This scoping review mapped the literature examining childhood trauma in relation to post-psychedelic psychological outcomes. Thirty-four sources met inclusion criteria and investigated substances including psilocybin, ayahuasca, and MDMA across clinical, ceremonial, naturalistic, and guided non-clinical contexts. The evidence primarily relied on retrospective self-report, exhibited considerable heterogeneity in study design and trauma operationalisation, and included minimal representation from non-Western or Indigenous contexts. Findings were heterogeneous: some sources reported reductions in trauma-related symptoms in maltreated populations, others found no association between childhood trauma exposure and psychological outcomes, and some identified increased vulnerability to post-acute psychedelic difficulties. Qualitative accounts frequently described resurfacing trauma-related memories accompanied by both psychological growth and distress. Prospective, trauma-informed, and culturally-inclusive research is needed to clarify risks and therapeutic potential for childhood trauma-exposed populations.